Music

By: Max Weinstein/ July 11, 2012

VIBE’s Daily Additions to the ‘Pod

1. Frank Ocean (Feat. Andre 3000) – “Pink Matter”
With innovation always looming on his mind, Three Stacks comes through to assist Frank Ocean with a show-stopping verse about missing a loved one. His voice is light and vulnerable, echoing the reflective ballad that Frank anchors with his beautifully wrenching vocals. The two close the track with in-sync harmony, providing some classic bars before an abrupt end. Frank has done it again.

Wiz Khalifa (Feat. Busta Rhymes) – “Different Cloth”
Veteran rappers trying to shoot back into the spotlight seem to be looking for a revival by young talent these days. For Busta, Wiz Khalifa proves to be his go-to sidekick. The catchy hooks and swaggerific raps about being on the top floor are lightening rods for the new generation of music fans to flock to. Sledgren provides a dope beat, although Taylor Gang in-house producers are tending to gravitate towards the same collective sound repeatedly. Guess that’s not an issue cares when they’re “young and wild and free.”

3. GLC (Feat. The Magistrates and Kids These Days) – “Pimp You”
GLC’s Southern twang allows for easy listening to old school wisdom on resisting the pimping of hip-hop culture. His lyrics are a little unimaginative, but the expected fire that Blended Babies blesses us with, paired alongside the additional hook from live hip-hop wunderkinds,Kids These Days, make this easy to follow along to.

Chance The Rapper – “Burn This City”
Chi-town’s Chance is definitely an underrated talent. Although he’s been putting in steady work for a while now with minor notoriety, on this new offering from Odd Couple’s free EP (featuring a slew of tight artists), Chance keeps it short and efficient with a reggae-influenced flow that makes you want to abuse the replay button. With a trippy guitar behind him, Chance flows with dexterity and a unique delivery that gives off young Damian Marley vibes—if he was a rapper with healthier lungs and less stress of course.

5. Fat Trel – “Here We Go”
DC favorite Fat Trel has been bubbling on the underground circuit for some time now. With his latest mixtape Nightmare On E Street, showcasing beats from Big K.R.I.T., Lex Luger, and Harry Fraud, Trel has continued to reach more fans with his new music. This track hails from his next project Respekt, produced by Taylor Gang’s Sledgren. Paired with Sled’s snapping beat, it’s hard to tell whether Trel rings you in with his hooks or his verses.